Spotify launches free mobile streaming service

NEW YORK (AP) — Music service Spotify has launched a new free streaming service for mobile devices.

The Swedish-based company announced Wednesday that it will allow users to stream playlists for free as long as the songs are shuffled randomly. It's a step closer to picking songs and albums on demand, a feature Spotify continues to reserve for premium members who pay $10 a month.

Users can play an artist's entire catalog or their own playlists in shuffle mode. Free users won't be able to shuffle play a single album without hearing other songs mixed in. Playlists that have too few songs will also have other songs mixed in. The free service launched Wednesday and includes ads.

Spotify also announced it is streaming the entire Led Zeppelin catalog.